As this year ends, healthy people look backwards. And forward.

The Bible often uses a word when it looks back. The word is hennah in Hebrew, and it means “until now” or “to this point” or “thus far.” For example, the Prophet Samuel looks back as he sets up a rock as a reminder:

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer (The Stone of the Help), saying, “Thus far has the Lord helped us.”                         – 1 Sam 7:1, NIV

In every breath of our lungs or print of our shoe, God was there first/God is here now/God is already ahead of us.

When a man reaches a certain point and writes “until now,” he is not yet at the end; he still has a distance to go. More trials, more joys; more temptations, more triumphs; more prayers, more answers; more toils, more strength; more fights, more victories…Be of good courage, and with grateful confidence raise your banner!

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I’m come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

As one year ends and another begins, reflect. Look backwards. And forwards.

 

Lord, even if I missed it

you were in always my eyes,

you were always in my mind,

you were always in my hands,

you were always in my words.

This new year, help me to not be afraid to walk into darkness,

for You are uncreated Light.

Show me the light,

show me the right seat,

find me the fitting task,

give me the willing heart.

(Adapted from Aidan Readings, Celtic Daily Prayer)